Improvements to make Newark Light Rail’s Bloomfield Avenue Station accessible to customers with disabilities and more convenient for all customers will begin this spring, under a contract approved by the New Jersey Transit’s (NJ Transit) board of directors.

The board authorized a $5.2 million contract with DMR Construction of Waldwick, N.J., for the construction of accessibility improvements at the station, which include raising and extending the two existing station platforms to enhance level boarding for customers who use mobility devices, installing elevators and a pedestrian grade crossing, constructing street-level canopies to protect customers from the elements, and upgrading lighting and customer communication systems.

“Projects like this reinforce our steadfast commitment to enhancing the accessibility of our facilities and helping to ensure that public transportation is a viable option for all New Jersey residents,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chairman James Simpson.

To minimize the impact to customers, work will be performed in phases, enabling a portion of each station platform to remain open throughout construction. In addition, the agency will launch an extensive communication plan that will include traditional methods such as construction posters, website advisories and “My Transit” alerts, as well as social media platforms.

The project’s completion, expected by the end of next year, will bring the total number of accessible Newark Light Rail stations to 12, out of the total 17.